The Fire and Rescue Service on Monday morning confirmed reports of a forest fire spreading in an open area below Shlomo Tzemach Street in Jerusalem.

Local reports said that fire is blazing above Route 16, near the religious neighborhood of Har Nof. The highway is currently closed to traffic in the affected area.

Nine fire and rescue teams from the Jerusalem region were dispatched, supported by two pairs of firefighting aircraft.

An orange firefighting agent was deployed.

"Firefighters are working to prevent the fire from spreading toward the nearby housing line, conducting containment, extinguishing, and prevention of further flare-ups," a Fire and Rescue Service statement said.

Deputy Commissioner Eli Ederi, commander of the Jerusalem station, is on site leading the operation.

Just prior to 1:00 p.m. Monday afternoon, the Fire and Rescue Service reported: "After intensive firefighting efforts involving nine teams and two pairs of firefighting aircraft, control was achieved over the forest fire that broke out in an open area below Shlomo Tzemach Street in Jerusalem."

Station commander Deputy Commissioner Eli Ederi added: "The firefighters acted quickly and professionally in a complex terrain, preventing the fire from spreading toward the neighborhood homes. The combined ground and air forces proved effective once again, and we continue with final extinguishing operations and searching for hot spots."